There's nothing Rainbow Dash likes than flying around Ponyville. Whether she competes with some pony else or not, she likes to be first, and not last. But at the end of the day, her friends are what she cares about the most.
Rainbow flew into the Wonderbolts Academy one day. Soarin was there. He was looking through a stopwatch as three ponies raced 'round the perimeter. Then, he saw Rainbow.
"Hello, Rainbow!" he called. "Nice day for a Wonderbolts racing session, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I must say," replied Rainbow.
"Anyways, we've got a short show coming up tomorrow," Soarin continued, "and we need some pony that could help open it up."
"I'll do it!" shouted Rainbow.
"You sure?" Soarin queried. "It's a big job for you."
"Pah! Please!" said Rainbow. "They don't call me Rainbow Dash for nothing."
Soarin took a moment to think. Then he agreed. "Alright, if you say so. Go practice first."
"Okay. Let's do this!"
Rainbow Dash approached the runway and spread her wings. Her determination took her over, and with a loud blast, she took off. Her wings whirred in the air, and she didn't back down one bit.
Then there was trouble. A white filly pegasus walked over the runway, unaware that Rainbow Dash was headed her way! Rainbow saw the pegasus.
"Look out!" she cried. She swerved out of the way and crashed into a shed with a clang and a prang! Luckily, no one was hurt. But Rainbow was dazed and surprised.
"Oh my!" the filly gasped. "I'm so sorry! I didn't even know you were coming in!"
Rainbow got up. "That's okay. Accidents happen, do they?"
"They sure do."
Soarin ran over to Rainbow. "My goodness! Rainbow, are you okay?"
"Agh!" groaned Rainbow. "Coulda been worse. But I'm fine."
"Sorry about little Hope right here," Soarin apologized. "She's kinda unaware of what happens around her."
"Is she your sister?" asked Rainbow.
"No, she's not. I'm just looking after her for the time-being."
"Nice to meet you, Rainbow Dash!" smiled Hope. "I've been inspired by you! The pony who did the Sonic Rainboom!"
"Wait, you know who I am?" questioned Rainbow.
"She certainly does," answered Soarin. "She's here to visit the academy for a few hours. She's here for training on how to fly."
"I'm sorry, what?" probed Rainbow. "She doesn't know how to fly?"
"She doesn't know how to fly yet," Soarin informed, "and she's hoping to learn from the best of the best."
"Oh my..." Hope glistened at Rainbow Dash, admired by her looks.
"So you want me to train her into flying?" speculated Rainbow.
"Absolutely," answered Soarin.
Rainbow's eyes widened. "But what about my performance for the show tomorrow?"
"Don't worry about that!" replied Soarin. "It's gonna be quick. Besides, she's a good listener, right, Hope?"
"Yes, Soarin!" answered Hope.
"Alright. She's all yours. If you need anything, let me know. Good luck!" And Soarin flew proudly away.
Suddenly, as soon as Soarin left, Hope's smile soon faded into a frown. She turned away.
"Hm?" puzzled Rainbow. "What's wrong?" She walked over to Hope.
"There's just one problem," Hope stuttered.
"What is it?" questioned Rainbow.
Hope exhaled. "I have a small disability."
"What?" stammered Rainbow. "What do you mean you have a disability?"
"Well, it's been very long since I've told my story to anyone. But since you're one of my idols, I guess I could tell you."
Rainbow kept silent. Then, Hope began her story.
"It has been a long journey to get here without being able to fly properly. My wings were slightly deformed, as you can see here, and I wasn't able to do most abilities all pegasi could do nowadays." Hope's eyes teared. "And it's all a living hell, to say the least, because of my deformed wings, a couple foals made fun of me, calling me a 'chicken', 'cause you know, chickens have a very low flight range."
Just like Scootaloo, Rainbow said to herself.
"But seeing you do all those crazy Sonic Rainboom stunts," continued Hope, "it makes me want to forget all those memories and go far beyond what the eye can see."
Rainbow felt terrible. Hope had been treated unfairly from the foals around her, and now, she wanted to undo that.
"So is this why you want to learn from me?" questioned Rainbow.
"Yes," answered Hope, "because you show ponies that we are capable of doing anything, even if we're different from one another."
"Oh, man," said Rainbow. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that. It must've been awful!"
"It certainly was. But now that I'm with you, I know it won't be so bad after all!"
"I hope it will. So let's go!" Rainbow led Hope inside the Wonderbolts Academy.
Rainbow and Hope entered an empty classroom.
"Okay, so what are we working on first?" asked Hope eagerly.
"Well, first things first," declared Rainbow, "you're in my hooves. So you'll have to do what I say."
"Yes, ma'am!" saluted Hope.
Rainbow sighed. "Alright. Before we get started, let me tell you that it's gonna be a bit difficult for me to teach you how to fly, because of your wings and all. So I apologize if it doesn't work properly like you hoped."
"Don't worry, Rainbow!" said Hope. "I think I might be able to, now that you've got glory."
"Good. Why don't you go grab a notepad so you could write down some notes."
"Have 'em!" Hope grabbed a notepad from an empty desk.
Rainbow smiled. "Okay, so, first step when it comes to flying. Always be prepared to spread your wings. Like this." Rainbow spread her wings outward to demonstrate.
Hope took some notes on her notepad. "Check!"
"Alright," continued Rainbow, "and then once you do that, plant your feet firmly on the ground. That way, you could get a better takeoff."
"Got it!" shouted Hope.
"And once you grab yourself a grip, flap your wings off." Rainbow began to flap her wings and flew for another demonstration.
"Okay!" yelled Hope. "I think I'm ready."
"Good luck!" Rainbow beamed.
So Hope spread her little wings out, and one by one, they began flapping. She swayed from side to side, before hitting the ground with a thud.
"Not bad, Hope!" complimented Rainbow. "You're getting it!"
Hope got back up and tried again, flapping her wings for as long as she could. And again. And again! But to no avail.
"I can't do it..." panted Hope.
"We'll try again tomorrow," said Rainbow.
So the next day after, Hope continued her practice in flying. Rainbow stood by her side.
"Almost there..." said Rainbow. Until, after a few tries...
"Oh. Oh! I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" Hope was finally flying like a regular pegasus.
"Hooray!" cried Rainbow.
As Hope landed slowly on the ground, she looked at Rainbow with a gleaming smile. "Thank you for everything."
"Anytime, Hope," smiled Rainbow. "If there's anything you need from me, just let me know."
"Actually, there is one thing... I don't have a cutie mark, and I want to get one. Do you know where I can do so?"
An idea popped into Rainbow's head when Hope mentioned her offer.
"Sure! We'd like to accept you as part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" said Scootaloo.
"Thanks," replied Hope. "I don't have a cutie mark yet, but I think I might now that I'm with you."
"Don't doubt it!" said Apple Bloom.
"Okay, now that I've left you here, it's about time I start practicing for my Wonderbolts opening show. See you then!" And Rainbow flew proudly away.
It was finally the day of the Wonderbolts Spectacular at Cloudsdale. Ponies from all over Equestria came to see the show. Every pony, including the Mane Six and finally, Hope, who was excited. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were also with her.
"I wonder who's gonna open the show," wondered Scootaloo.
"If you ask me," replied Sweetie Belle, "I bet it's gonna be Rainbow Dash. She's all caught up with this Wonderbolts thing."
The lights began to flash and move to the center of the ground.
"Fillies and gentlecolts," an intercom voice yelled, "let's hear it for... Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow Dash popped out from the sky and began her maneuvering across the bright blue sky. Every pony all around whooped for joy for this action.
Rainbow looked at the crowd as she flew across. Among them included Hope.
"Woo-hoo!" exclaimed Hope. "You do it, Rainbow Dash!" She used her wings to raise herself up into the air.
Rainbow winked at Hope and continued flying. She flew through the sky so fast that she triggered a sonic rainboom in the sky, spreading in all directions. Everyone gasped in awe as the rainboom soon disappeared into thin air. All as Rainbow's opening sequence was over, and the official show began.
After the show was finished, Hope and Soarin met Rainbow backstage. Rainbow was removing her Wonderbolts outfit.
"That was amazing!" exclaimed Hope.
"Well done," said Soarin. "You did good out there."
"Thanks, you two," replied Rainbow. "I don't think I could've done it without this little fella right here." She patted Hope on her mane.
"Say," began Soarin, "do you think you're up for the Wonderbolts Academy signups? They're looking for some right now."
"Eh, I don't see why not. I could take some time off by teaching other fillies how to fly."
"Great! So that means I'll see you tomorrow!" And Soarin flew proudly away.
Hope looked at Rainbow. "So what are you gonna do now?" she asked.
"Hmm, we'll see, Hope," answered Rainbow. "We'll see."
The two mares smiled at each other and walked away from the backstage, beaming from head to hoof knowing that they had just formed a fantastical bond between themselves.
